Beckett protest at weapons flight(UK protests over US weapons flight to Israel)

BBC.com ^

[MARKUSPRIME]

British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett has protested to the US about its use of Prestwick Airport in western Scotland to transport bombs to Israel.SNP leader Alex Salmond claimed the UK government must decide whether to "be an aircraft carrier" for the US.

The Lib Dems suggested the Americans were taking the UK for granted.Mr Salmond said that "with an escalating Middle East conflict", it was ill-advised to send bombs "to arm one side in that conflict to the teeth, at a time when hundreds of civilians, many children, United Nations observers, have already been eliminated, killed, by similar weapons"."If these reports are true, it is particularly provocative for the United States to have acted in this way," he said.

"It can only reinforce the belief of many that Britain is taken for granted in the so-called special relationship.

"Who knows how many of these munitions may be used to cause the kind of damage to Lebanon which the prime minister of that country described in Rome as cutting his country to pieces."

[MARKUSPRIME]

US rejects weapon flight concerns

The White House has dismissed UK concerns about the use of Prestwick Airport, in Scotland, by US planes carrying bombs to Israel.

"Apparently, the British foreign minister thinks the paperwork was not in order," said spokesman Tony Snow.

"The Department of Defense does," he added. "We'll get it straightened out."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/5221782.stm

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I guess our pilots dont needs rest and can just refuel always in air and not land in our supposed closest allies airports(those yanks are warmongering robots you know)./sarcasm I know for a fact the RAF uses the US as a rest area and over flies us alot(with cargo). Im sorry they hate the US so much.We dont hate the brits just foaming at the mouth anti-americanism.

[vimto]

I think your post was very good. and yes other minorities have more cause to dislike Muslims than we do because they give them all a bad name.

7/7 was a wake up call - and in high immigration areas it might have rung a bell. But outside those areas most people have slumbered back to sleep. Mind you another such attack and the Brit bulldog might look a lot tougher.

[snowman_returns]

Im sorry they hate the US so much.We dont hate the brits just foaming at the mouth anti-americanism.

Brits are not like that at all generally so I have to set the record straight on this one. There is however a growing divide over here between the politically correct woolly hat liberals (spineless noisy wimps) and those that value the true merits that a proper Conservative goverment would bring to this country.

The difference isn't noticed by those in the US because it's always the Leftys over here who make the most noise and get press coverage for their pathetic protests; it's about time the goverment put good use to those water cannons again, that would make for great TV viewing..

[Brit1]

I think the Brit bull dog has awoken. However you look at the Stockwell shooting the message come over quite clearly if you carry a bomb on London transport and its discovered you will be shot dead without compunction. Despite the howls of protest from a very few on the left the vast majority here absolutely agree with it.

[vimto]

You have a strong point there. I was impressed with Blair yesterday. His domestic policies leave a lot to be desired but he gets the crux of what Hezbolla is about and is willing to be unpopular to support the right thing. He is going to be massively unpopular with much of the press, public and not least the Muslim constituency.

[Brit1]

Yes I was impressed with Blair also. For some reason he has adopted a bit more statesmanship and maybe he does understand that the Arabs and Jews cannot stay on this killing spree forever.

As a former newspaper photographer I know he cares little for what the press says .

As I am in know doubt you are aware everybody in this situation is attempting to get into the best position for the 'endgame'.
It is interesting to note that some of the more powerful Arab nations are staying right out of it.

If we can achieve some sort of lasting peace ( Just about) in the region
then I think Blair will be more popular than might have been thought.
Despite the Media,in Britian newspapers were used to wrap the 'fish and chips' in the next day and although we all read them their opinions are very transient.Anyway there are about 60 million here in the UK and of those about one million are Muslims so were are not exactly overun there is no desire to allow that.

[vimto]

"For some reason he has adopted a bit more statesmanship..."

could the reason be UN ambitions?

Don't get me wrong - it's not a bad ambition, especially if could bring to the organization a more balanced global perspective.

[Brit1]

Come to think of it you may be quite right .

He's got to be better than the ineffectual Koffi and a more balanced UN would bring about far more stability in the world.

Good Lord I'm now thinking Tony Blair might actually do something very worthwhile.

[Brit1]

Come here and ask a Royal Marine if he's scared of the Arabs. I would suggest you won't need a return ticket.

[vimto]

"Good Lord I'm now thinking Tony Blair might actually do something very worthwhile."

Breath slowly into the brown paper bag. Don't panic. It will be alright.

[Brit1]

Outstanding.... LOL

[piasa]

could the reason be UN ambitions?

If Blair ends up in a mudwrestling competition with the ambitious Bill Clinton and Bubba's desire to head the UN, I'm rooting againt Clinton.

[vimto]

In fairness to Blair he has never mentioned a desire to lead the UN (how could he) but it has been mentioned in the press now and then - floating the idea maybe? I would support him - he is a disaster on the home turf but he seems to have a better grasp of global politics than most.